MILWAUKEE, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Anthony Mason made a key defensive play in the final seconds Wednesday night, allowing the Milwaukee Bucks to fight off the Chicago Bulls, 96-92.
Signed as a free agent during the offseason, the 6-8 Mason was acquired to add toughness in the post on both ends of the court to a perimeter-based Bucks squad.
Mason collected 11 points and nine rebounds, contributing under both baskets. But his biggest play came when he left the post to play defense away from the hoop.
The Bulls had fought back from a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to get within 93-92 with 18 seconds remaining on a three-pointer by Charles Oakley, his only basket of the game. Milwaukee's Ray Allen then split a pair of free throws, setting up the key sequence.
The Bulls swung the ball to the right wing to Oakley, who appeared to have an open three-pointer. Mason ran toward him and jumped to block what may have been an attempted pass underneath. Allen corraled the loose ball and made the clinching free throws with 1.8 seconds to go.
